Dehradun: The state government has clarified the situation regarding reports that 7,000 bighas of land had been allotted to the Uttarakhand Infrastructure and Investment Development Board (UIIDB). Principal Secretary, Planning, and Managing Director of UIIDB, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, said that the claim that 7,000 bighas of land had been given to the board was factually incorrect. Of the land identified so far, only 45 acres have been made available to UIIDB, and no process is currently underway to acquire such a large amount of land.
He said that UIIDB was established with the objective of increasing capital investment in the state, creating new employment opportunities, and ensuring the planned utilization of government land and resources. SIDCUL is already working to attract investment in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, while UIIDB is seeking to promote large-scale investment in tourism, hospitality, wellness, education, healthcare, information technology, and other service sectors.
According to Sundaram, Uttarakhand has significant potential for investment in the tourism and wellness sectors. Along with the development of high-quality hotels, resorts, and wellness centres, efforts are also being made to develop the state as a major tourism and wedding destination. This is expected to boost not only tourism but also local businesses, transportation, handicrafts, and activities related to local products.
Focus on Investment in Education and Healthcare
Through UIIDB, the government also plans to encourage quality investment in the education and healthcare sectors. The government says this will help expand higher education and healthcare facilities in the state while providing better opportunities for young people locally. Investment is expected to generate both direct and indirect employment and give a boost to the local economy.
Government Land Will Not Be Permanently Transferred
The Principal Secretary clarified that promoting investment through UIIDB does not mean the sale of government land. Ownership of the land will remain with the state government, while it will be leased for investment projects in accordance with prescribed rules. Compliance with environmental and other statutory norms will also be ensured. The press note further clarified that the lease period is 60 years, not 90 years.
He said that the objective of UIIDB is not to facilitate the unplanned transfer of unused government land, but to make planned use of available resources and promote investment and economic activity in the service sector.
Preparation to Create a Land Bank
Sundaram said that, as a mountainous state, Uttarakhand faces challenges in making suitable land available for investment projects. Therefore, there is a need to systematically develop a government land bank for service-sector projects. He said that the identified land would be used strictly in accordance with prescribed rules, laws, and environmental standards.
He also clarified that UIIDB and the Optimal Land Utilization Committee are two separate mechanisms. The committee was constituted in 2022 to address procedural difficulties related to land transfers, whereas UIIDB’s objective is to promote investment in the service sector.
According to the government, increased investment through UIIDB in tourism, hospitality, wellness, education, healthcare, and other service sectors will create opportunities for local employment and self-employment. The government reiterated that the claim that 7,000 bighas of land had been given to the board was incorrect and that, at present, only 45 acres of land are available to UIIDB.
